Tulum Starter Pack

Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN), about 1.5-2 hours from Tulum

ADO Bus: Direct buses from Cancun airport to Tulum (~$20 USD, 2+ hours)

Shared shuttle: Book in advance online, ~$30-50 USD per person

Private transfer: ~$100-150 USD, more comfortable for the long ride

Rental car: Useful for exploring cenotes and beaches. Book in advance for better rates.

Colectivos: Shared vans from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, ~$3 USD. Local experience!

Tip: Tulum now has a small regional airport, but most flights still use Cancun.

FMM Tourist Card: Given on arrival, valid for up to 180 days. Keep this safe - you need it to leave!

Visa runs: Many expats do "border runs" to Belize (2 hours away) to reset their 180 days.

Temporary Resident Visa: For stays over 180 days. Apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country.

Permanent Resident: After 4 years on temporary, or if you qualify by income/investment.

INM office: Immigration matters handled in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Plan your visit.

RFC (tax ID): Required if you plan to work or do business in Mexico. Get it at SAT office.

Many digital nomads in Tulum work remotely on tourist visas, though technically a gray area.

Dry season (Nov-April): Perfect weather! Sunny, low humidity, ideal beach conditions.

Rainy season (May-October): Daily afternoon showers, very humid. Jungle is extra lush.

Hurricane season (June-November): Most activity Aug-Oct. Have a backup plan.

Sargassum (seaweed): Can be heavy May-August. Beach clubs clean their areas daily.

High season: December-March. Prices peak, beaches crowded, book everything in advance.

Best time: November or April for good weather, fewer crowds, and better prices.

Mosquitoes: Year-round, especially at dusk in the jungle areas. Bring repellent!

Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

Tourist Police Tulum

Red Cross (Cruz Roja) Tulum

Clinic: Tulum Medical Center, English-speaking doctors available

Hospital Hospiten Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen)

For serious medical issues, head to Playa del Carmen or Cancun hospitals.

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Bike rentals: The most popular way to get around! ~100-200 MXN per day. Essential for the beach road.

Tulum has 3 zones: Pueblo (town), Beach Zone, and Aldea Zama. Each has its own vibe.

Beach road: Single road along the coast. Gets very congested. Bike is often faster than car.

Taxis: Available but expensive, especially to the beach zone. Negotiate beforehand.

Colectivos: Shared vans on Highway 307 for trips to Playa del Carmen or south.

Scooter rentals: Popular option, ~300-500 MXN per day. Be careful on sandy/unpaved roads.

inDrive: Available in Tulum. Often cheaper than taxis.

Tip: The beach road is very dark at night. Bring a bike light or use a taxi.

Telcel: Best coverage in Tulum. Buy SIM at any OXXO or Telcel store in town.

AT&T Mexico: Good in town, can be spotty in beach zone.

SIM registration required: Residents need CURP, tourists need passport to buy a SIM card.

Home internet: Telmex and Izzi available in town. Beach zone has limited options.

Starlink: Growing popular with digital nomads. Works great in beach zone where fiber is limited.

Coworking: Digital Jungle, Holistika, and many cafes cater to remote workers.

Beach zone WiFi: Many hotels and restaurants have WiFi, but speeds can be slow.

Tip: If working remotely, consider staying in Pueblo or Aldea Zama for better internet.

Cash is essential: Many beach clubs and restaurants are cash-only or charge extra for cards.

ATMs: Several banks in Pueblo. Use ATMs inside banks to avoid skimmers.

Opening a Mexican bank account: Most require temporary or permanent residency.

Kapital (formerly Intercam): Opens accounts for tourists with just a passport.

Wise (TransferWise): Great for receiving USD/EUR and converting to MXN.

ATM fees: Foreign cards often charged 50-100 MXN per withdrawal.

USD accepted: Many places accept dollars, but at poor exchange rates.

Tip: Beach zone is expensive. Budget 50-100% more than Pueblo for food and drinks.

Tulum Pueblo: Downtown area. Affordable, authentic, all amenities. 10 min bike to beach.

Beach Zone: Iconic hotels and beach clubs. Expensive, limited practical amenities, magical vibes.

Aldea Zama: Planned community between town and beach. Modern condos, pools, growing amenities.

La Veleta: Residential area west of town. Quieter, more affordable, local neighborhood.

Region 15: North of town, newer development. Mix of local and expat.

Long-term rentals: Start at ~$800/month in Pueblo, $1500+ in Aldea Zama, $2500+ beach zone.

Tip: Many people start on the beach, then move to Pueblo or Aldea Zama for practicality.

Tulum Pueblo: Authentic Mexican food at local prices. Try the taquerias on the main street.

Beach Zone: World-class restaurants, but expect to pay $30-100+ per person.

Hartwood: Famous wood-fired restaurant on the beach. Reserve weeks in advance.

Matcha Mama: Iconic healthy smoothie spot, famous on Instagram.

Burrito Amor: Local favorite for Mexican breakfast and burritos in Pueblo.

Raw Love: Vegan and health food, multiple locations.

Groceries: Chedraui and Aki in Pueblo. Limited options in beach zone.

Farmers Market: Sunday organic market in Aldea Zama. Great for fresh produce.

Tip: Eat in Pueblo, enjoy drinks on the beach. Best of both worlds.

Playa Paraíso: Near the ruins, beautiful white sand, less developed. Can get crowded.

Beach clubs: Nomade, Papaya Playa, Coco Tulum, Casa Malca. Day passes $30-100+.

Public beach access: By law, all beaches are public. Access points between hotels.

Las Palmas: Public beach at the south end with restaurants and palapa rentals.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere: South of Tulum, pristine undeveloped beaches. Worth the day trip.

Xpu-Ha: 30 min north, stunning turquoise water, less crowded than Tulum beaches.

Sargassum season (May-Aug): Beach clubs clean their areas, but public beaches may be affected.

Tulum Ruins: Clifftop Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean. Arrive at 8am opening to avoid crowds.

Cenotes: Hundreds nearby! Gran Cenote, Cenote Calavera, Casa Cenote are favorites.

Cenote Dos Ojos: Famous for snorkeling and diving in connected underground rivers.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere: UNESCO site with boat tours through mangroves and floating channels.

Cobá Ruins: Climb the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan. 45 min from Tulum.

Yoga and wellness: Tulum is a global wellness destination. Studios and retreats everywhere.

Full moon parties: Various locations host events tied to lunar cycles.

Day trips: Laguna Bacalar (2 hrs), Valladolid (1 hr), Muyil ruins and lagoon

Kiteboarding: Tulum has good conditions. School and rentals available.

Diving/Snorkeling: Cenote diving is world-class. Many dive shops offer certification.

Yoga: Dozens of studios. Holistika, Sanará, and many hotel yoga classes.

CrossFit: CrossFit Tulum and other boxes in the area.

Gyms: Several gyms in Pueblo. Beach zone has hotel gyms.

Biking: The main form of exercise and transportation combined!

Paddleboarding: Available at beach clubs and Laguna Kaan Luum.

Running: Early morning on the beach road before traffic picks up.

Three Tulums: Pueblo (town), Beach Zone, and Aldea Zama are different worlds. Know which you want.

Budget: Tulum beach zone is expensive, even by US/European standards. Budget accordingly.

Traffic: The beach road is notorious for congestion. Bikes beat cars most times.

Mosquitoes: Worst at dusk, especially in jungle areas. Bring strong repellent.

Drinking water: Tap water is not potable. Stick to bottled or purified water.

Nightlife: Much mellower than Cancun. Beach clubs transition to chill music at night.

Power outages: Common, especially in rainy season. Have flashlights and portable chargers.

Authenticity: Tulum is very Instagram-focused. The "boho" vibe can feel curated. Find your own corners.